[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E506]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   RECOGNIZING CHIEF BRIAN THOLEN ON HIS CAREER AS A LAW ENFORCEMENT 
                    OFFICER AND SERVICE TO MINNESOTA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. KELLY MORRISON

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 2025

  Ms. MORRISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and honor Chief 
Brian Tholen for his distinguished career in law enforcement and his 
lifelong commitment to serving the people of Minnesota through 
education, volunteerism, and public safety advocacy.
  For over 25 years, Chief Tholen served with dedication and integrity 
as a police officer for the City of Edina. He then continued his 
service as Chief of Police for the South Lake Minnetonka Police 
Department for three and a half years, leading with courage and 
professionalism.
  A graduate of the University of St. Thomas and the 275th class of the 
FBI National Academy, Chief Tholen exemplified Minnesotan excellence 
throughout his law enforcement career. His tenure included a decade in 
the patrol division, where he served as a field training officer, a 
defensive tactics instructor, and a member of the Southwest Metro SWAT 
Team Consortium.
  In the past 12 years, Chief Tholen has worked to train officers, 
paramedics, firefighters, and civilians across the metro area in active 
shooter response protocol. Through this work, he has emphasized the 
importance of awareness, prevention, and survival, equipping 
individuals and businesses with life-saving tools and strategies.
  Chief Tholen's service-oriented mindset was shaped early in life. 
Raised in a family-owned plumbing business, he learned the values of 
hard work and responsibility by going on service calls with his father 
as a teenager. He carried that ethic into every aspect of his public 
service career.
  Chief Tholen has retired to Shorewood with his wife of 23 years, 
Lauren. He is an active member of the Excelsior Morning Rotary and 
enjoys boating, hunting, traveling, and spending time outdoors with 
Lauren and their Border Collie, Ike.
  On behalf of myself and the Minnesotans who have benefited from his 
decades of leadership and service, I offer my sincere gratitude to 
Chief Brian Tholen--and I wish him many more good hikes with Lauren and 
Ike.

                          ____________________